Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-33-20.1. Computation of earnings for recurrence--Burden of employee to establish recurrence

(a) In the event a person collecting benefits under this chapter, regardless of the date of injury, has returned to employment for a period of twenty-six (26) weeks or more and suffers a recurrence of the injury that precipitated the person collecting benefits under this chapter, the average weekly wage shall be ascertained by applying the same formula of § 28-33-20 to the thirteen (13) calendar weeks immediately preceding the week in which he or she suffered the recurrence. In making this computation, absence for seven (7) consecutive calendar days, although not in the same calendar week, shall be considered as absence for a calendar week.

(b) For all petitions filed to prove recurrence of incapacity to work, regardless of the date of injury, the employee must document that the incapacity has increased or returned without the need for the employee to document a comparative change of condition.